III.             Supplies to Bring Daily

Two three-ring binder, loose leaf paper, reading packet, a Bible and your textbook, 3 x 5 index cards, manila envelopes,   and  A Guide through the New Testament by Celia Marshall.

IV.              Daily Assignments

There will be daily reading assignments either from handouts, the Bible, and/or your textbook.     We will also occasionally watch movie clips of scenes from a particular Gospel.  Typically you will have two to three reading assignments in class.  Each reading assignment will take about 20-30 minutes.  You will summarize the readings and we will discuss each reading in class.

Notes/Summaries:  You should take notes on every class discussion we have and they are to be well organized.  They should illustrate your understanding of the material.  You will be required to summarize every reading assignment we do in class.  Each assignment is worth 10 points.  The assignments must be handed in on 3-hole punched notebook paper. If I can’t read your handwriting, I will require you to type the assignments.  Each summary assignment should include the following:

1) Notes in bullets or prose indicating your understanding of the reading.  (this will typically be one notebook page long)—8 points

 

2) Identify a question raised in your mind about the reading or something in the reading that is of interest to you, bothers you,    surprises you, or inspires you and write the questions down on a 3 x 5 index and turn it in with your summary.  (2 points)

Homework:  You are expected to review and study all material presented in class in preparation  for daily quizzes.  In addition, from time to time you will be assigned homework that should take you no longer than 30 to 40 minutes per night to complete.  There will be a 10% grade reduction for all late assignments.

V.        Daily Assignments

There will be daily reading assignments either from handouts, the Bible, and/or your textbook.     We will also occasionally watch movie clips of scenes from a particular Gospel.  Typically you will have two to three reading assignments in class.  Each reading assignment will take about 20-30 minutes.  You will summarize the readings and we will discuss each reading in class.

Notes/Summaries:  You should take notes on every class discussion we have and they are to be well organized.  They should illustrate your understanding of the material.  You will be required to summarize every reading assignment we do in class.  Each assignment is worth 10 points.  The assignments must be handed in on 3-hole punched notebook paper. If I can’t read your handwriting, I will require you to type the assignments.  Each summary assignment should include the following:

1) Notes in bullets or prose indicating your understanding of the reading.  (this will typically be one notebook page long)—8 points

2) Identify a question raised in your mind about the reading or something in the reading that is of interest to you, bothers you, surprises you, or inspires you and write the questions down on a 3 x 5 index and turn it in with your summary.  (2 points)

Homework:  You are expected to review and study all material presented in class in preparation for daily quizzes.  In addition, from time to time you will be assigned homework that should take you no longer than 30 to 40 minutes per night to complete.  There will be a 10% grade reduction for all late assignments.                                                               

VI.              Vocabulary/Daily Quizzes

You will receive a list of vocabulary words as part of your packets.  You should add the definitions as you come across them in the reading and class discussions.  Throughout the course there will be quizzes on the vocabulary words and other information discussed in class and the readings.

VII.           Projects and Tests

There will be several projects and tests as you make your way through the course.  Each test will have an in class study period, but may require additional study.  There will also be class time to start the different projects assigned, but additional time maybe required to complete them.

VIII.        Participation

Your participation grade will be based on your ability to engage in class discussions, classroom behavior, and your ability to be on time.

IX.              Final Project

Your final project will challenge you to be thoughtful and creative.  It will be assigned at the beginning of the last week and will be due on the last day of class January 19^th.  Remember it is worth 20% of your final grade.

X.                 Late Work

Late work will receive a 10% reduction in the grade.  If you are ill, email your work to me and bring a hard copy when you return.  The email time will determine if your work is on time.

XI.              Confidentiality and Behavior Expectations

A majority of the subject matter discussed in this class can be of an extremely  personal  nature. In order for you and your classmates to feel comfortable entering into these conversations, I expect  you to treat one another with respect, kindness and courtesy.  Your diligence contribution to creating this safe atmosphere will make everyone’s learning experience in the class a more meaningful one.

XII.           Unit Summaries

The following are summaries of the Units we will study in Bible as Literature II.

Unit 1- Introduction and Background.  This unit will introduce you the various approaches to the    study of New Testament and basic historical background about ancient Israel.

a.)    various approaches to the New Testament

b.)    Background of Jesus’ world.

c.)    Ancient Storytelling.

Unit 2 – The Gospel of Mark.  This unit will expose you to the content of the Gospel of Mark and will explore the theories regarding its literary relationship with the other synoptic Gospels, its authorship, and historical context during writing.

a.)    Intro to Mark

b.)    Identity of Jesus

c.)    An Apocalypse

d.)    The Passion

e.)    Is the story finished?

 Unit 3 – The Gospel of Matthew.  This unit will expose you to the content of the Gospel of Matthew and will explore the theories regarding its literary relationship with the other synoptic Gospels, its authorship, and historical context during writing.

a.)    Jewish Context

b.)    Sermon on the Mount

c.)    Peter’s Confession

d.)    The Passion

 Unit 4 – The Gospel of Luke.   This unit will expose you to the content of the Gospel of Luke and will explore the theories regarding its literary relationship with the other synoptic Gospels, its authorship, and historical context during writing.

a.)    The infancy narratives

b.)    Spreading the Word

c.)     Parables

d.)    The Passion

Unit 5 – The Gospel of John.  In this unit, you will study the content and background of the Gospel of John, and you learn why John is not considered a synoptic Gospel.  You will also be able to compare and contrast the Gospel of John to the synoptic Gospels.  You will learn how the purpose of the Gospel of  John differs from the others.

a.)    Structure of the Gospel

b.)    Christology

c.)    Incarnation

d.)     Images of Jesus

e.)    Farwell discourses

f.)    The Passion

g.)      Beloved Disciples

h.)    Authorship

XIII.        Plagiarism and Cheating

There are several places (SMES Honor Statement, The Bible, The Koran, and so on…) that  remind us that using someone else’s work as your own is simply the wrong thing to do.  Also helping a student by sharing your work with them is also unethical.  If plagiarism occurs you and anyone who helped you in the class will receive a zero for the assignment and will be reported to the appropriate dean.

XIV.        Permission Slips

Occasionally we will watch movie clips depicting various parts of the Gospel story.  These clips will include the majority of The Passion of Christ and The Last Temptation of Christ to name the two most controversial. Attached you will find a permission slip that must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to me in order for you to participate in this portion of the course.